“What?!” Althea shouted in her surprised voice
The room was very quiet at that time because everyone was busy reviewing. All of our classmates looked back and stared at us. We were seated at the back of the room so we can clearly see when everyone turns their back.
“Umm. I’m sorry, I was just startled. Please don’t mind me.” Althea apologized.
She closed her notebook, sighed and then stood up and slapped it to Jackson and Allyson who were smiling behind us. Her face was blushing and the annoyance can be seen all over her face.
“If you don’t have anything serious to do then don’t disturb me. Can’t you see that I am reviewing?” she whispered
“Ouch! Sorry. We were just curious as to why the two of you are sitting beside each other closely.” Jackson said
“I’m a little bit jealous. You were suddenly ignoring us. Is there something going on between the two of you?” Allyson asked
“Are you still going to continue? Are the slaps I have given you not enough to keep you shut your mouths?” Althea whispered
“What is happening here? Did I miss anything?” Henry, who came back from the comfort room, asked.
“Nothing. You better behave, I won’t tolerate the two of you because we need to be serious for the final exam.” Althea gestured that he is watching the two of them.
I smiled as I watched Jackson, Henry and Allyson go back to their seats. Althea also sat down quietly on her seat and smiled at me.
“Please ignore them since they don’t have anything else to do. I guess their day will not be completed if they do not annoy me.” she said
“It’s okay. I should have said something in case they misunderstood having my seat close to yours.” I replied
“They won’t. I know them too well. They don’t really care about the reason why you are near me.”
“I really don’t understand why the teachers decided to shuffle our seats. It would have been better if they followed the seating arrangements so you would still be sitting close to them.” I said
“The teachers have their reasons. And since we freshmen are the only ones who are in three sections, dividing your section and combining it to the other sections might be convenient for them and for us.” I said
“You have a point and I am also thankful that you are my seatmate.” I said smiling
She smiled back at me before looking back at her notes. We reviewed and exchanged ideas on some parts of the previous lesson that we forgot.
“Time is up. Check your answer sheets if you have written your names, section and the date today then pass it to the person in front of you. You can go and have your break.” the teacher said when the bell rang.
The room started buzzing as our classmates started checking their notes and talking to their seatmates. I saw Daniel coming towards us since he was seated on the front.
“Let’s go.” Daniel simply said
I could see Althea turning her back from us before closing her eyes and stretching her neck. I smiled at Daniel before I stood up and we both went to the canteen. I wanted to ask some questions but I don’t want to make things awkward.
“Aw aw! What is your problem?” I heard Althea shouting as we came back to the room.
Allyson has her in a headlock while the two of them are reaching for a snack that is in Jackson’s hand. Jackson was smiling widely as she watched the two of them fighting for the snack.
“You should have agreed to share it with me.” Allyson said
“Jackson said that it is mine so why should I share it with you.” Althea said as she pushed Allyson away.
Henry bumped into me as he hurriedly went to where they were and grabbed the snack that Jackson was holding.
“It’s mine now since I got it first.” Henry said before smiling mischievously.
Allyson and Althea stopped and stared at Henry in disbelief. They didn’t move for some time while having their mouths open. Henry opened the cupcake snack and took a bite as he stared at them with his eyebrows up.
“That was my favorite flavor! You’re not even supposed to be included so how dare you eat that one!” Althea said while glaring at Henry.
“Oh. I thought you were fighting over who would get it first. You can still have the other half” Henry offered
“Nevermind. You already got it so it’s yours.” she said before sitting down on her chair.
“Is she upset?” Henry asked Jackson.
“You better eat that one already before she sees it again.” Allyson said to Henry
“I will go back now to my seat since the break will be over soon.” Daniel said as he tapped my back.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t know that there is only one.” Henry said as he sat down in front of Althea
Althea ignored him and then opened her bag to pull out a lunch box. She opened it and grabbed a grape to pop it in her mouth.
“Do you want some? My friends didn’t come here so I have a lot of fruit. I was supposed to share it with them.” she offered me.
“I’m okay. We just came from the canteen and had some snacks there.” I said
“Would you like some grapes?” she said to Jackson and Allyson.
The two of them exchanged looks before grabbing a grape. Henry was watching them silently.
“I’m sorry. Can’t you forgive me for this once? I will give you two tomorrow.” he said
Althea crossed her arms before staring at him as if studying him and checking if he was telling the truth.
“Okay. Promise me that you will give me two pieces.” she said, extending her pinky finger.
Henry accepted her pinky promise. Althea smiled before offering the grapes to him.
“Where is my cupcake?” She turned back to Jackson.
Jackson grabbed a pack of cupcake snacks from his bag and handed it to her. Althea picked up a paper bag beside her chair and handed it back to him.
“What was that? I thought there was no more, that's why I felt so guilty.” Henry said, wondering.
“Don’t forget my cupcake tomorrow. You already promised me.” Althea answered back.
Jackson and Allyson pulled two chairs and sat down in front of us before they brought out two tupperwares. I can’t stop staring at them because I am curious as to why they are exchanging snacks.
“Oh my gosh! You really brought us these snacks? I was just joking when I mentioned it to your grandma.” Allyson said
“She is very fond of you and today is our exam day so she made time to cook them for you. Ah.. Henry is also included on the list so you can share.” she said
“I still don’t understand why you don’t want to have the snacks that your grandma prepared for you. Why do you prefer having those packed cupcakes?” Jackson said.
“You know that I am not allowed to buy those snacks that is why I am swapping them with you. Grandma already knows that you gave them to me so she will not get mad.” she explained
“I still don’t understand your reason but okay. I like that kind of weirdness in you.” Allyson said
Althea shrugged her shoulders then continued eating the grapes that she had. Allyson, Jackson and Henry opened the lunch boxes that Althea gave them.
“Ooops. Stop!” Althea said when they were ready to grab the food.
“What now?” Jackson said while their hands stopped mid-air.
“Ah, those “turon” aren’t all bananas wrapped in rice paper. I’m not really sure which of those ones have bananas or sweet potatoes inside. I hope the three of you like sweet potatoes.” She said
“That’s all? Can we eat now?” Allyson asked
“Umm yeah. I’m just saying so you wouldn’t blame me later.” she answered
I swallowed hard as I stared at the snacks that were in front of me. I just had some cookies and juice from the canteen but why am I drooling.
“Do you want some?” someone whispered in my ear.
“What?!” I said startled as I turn to the person beside me
“I’m asking if you want some. You can share with them since there’s a lot.” Althea said smiling.
“I uhh. I’m okay really. Don’t mind me.” I answered
I still want to say something when she offers me a grape while gesturing to me to open my mouth. I don’t know why I opened my mouth as if hypnotized by her smile.
“See, you also want it. So Henry’s friend, you can choose which one of those you want. Oh, that Japanese cake also had different fillings. I think Nana made some with chocolate filling.” she said while staring at me.
“Don’t be shy. You can eat with us.” Henry said
I shyly grabbed one of the Japanese cakes that Althea pointed out and took a bite. It was my first time tasting something like this. The outside was a little toasted and the inside was soft and fluffy which complements the vanilla filling. I was still enjoying my first bite when our teacher spoke by the door.
- - - - - - - - Author's note: - - - - - - - - -
Hi everyone. I would like to apologize first if you got confused with the name of the heroine. It is supposed to be Althea but I got confused and used Athena on some of the chapters. Thank you for your understanding and always take care everyone.
P.S: Athena was supposed to be on my next story. hehe